The Impacts of Study Abroad Opportunities on International Students

104 Pages·2016·1.22 MB·English

Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT Scholar Works
Theses Thesis/Dissertation Collections
6-2014
The Impacts of Study Abroad Opportunities on
International Students
Seza Zerman
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Running head: THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

Rochester Institute of Technology

The Impacts of Study Abroad Opportunities on International Students
by
Seza Zerman
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master
of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Thesis Advisor: Rick Lagiewski

College of Applied Science and Technology
School of International Hospitality and Service Innovation
Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY
June 2014
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES ii

Abstract
The emerging global structure requires interaction between societies and the international
flow of knowledge. Exchange of students and study abroad programs are components of this
internationalization process. The Erasmus program, the most common study abroad program in
Turkey, has a great impact on the exchange of cultures and academic knowledge. This study will
reveal different kinds of Erasmus experiences, the cultural and academic impacts of the program,
how the program changes the expectation of participants, and how participants experience the
return home after their study abroad program.
Data were collected via a qualitative method—a semi-structured interview, as the
objective of the study is to gather personal feelings and ideas. Nine former Erasmus students
from Anadolu University Tourism Department, Turkey, were interviewed via Skype or phone
call between April 20 and May 9, 2014.
The data from the interviews were grouped and analyzed under the study objectives
subgroups based on the literature and themes that the students mentioned during the interviews.
The study reveals that tourism major students consider study abroad programs and
international experiences as vital for their major. According to participants, after the Erasmus
program they became more open-minded and tolerant, and they state these characteristics are
important for the tourism field to accommodate people from diverse backgrounds. For that
reason students believe that institutions should provide more international opportunities to
exchange cultures and experience different education and learning styles.
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES iii

In addition, although academic expectations are not the drivers that make students decide
to participate in the program, during the program they recognize some differences between home
and host institutions in terms of learning environments and different teaching methods. These
differences make students expect more from their home institutions and motivate them to
continue their education or career abroad.
Additionally, as the program provides an opportunity to experience different cultures and
lifestyles, returning from such an experience is seen as challenging by students as Turkey and
Europe have different lifestyles in terms of social life, recreational activities, and way of life.
Although the students are not naming this problematic process as a reverse culture shock, their
desire to go back addresses one of reverse culture shock’s indicators as mentioned in the study of
Cohen (2003). Therefore, the adjustment of the returnees should be considered more in depth.
The study would be beneficial for students who would like to join study abroad programs
or other kinds of internationalization activities such as international field trips or other exchange
programs. It also could be used by the professors, institutions, and international offices of the
universities to accommodate the students, as their expectations and satisfaction levels change
after abroad experiences and their returning process has some difficulties to consider.
Key words: internationalization, study abroad, Erasmus, re-entry, academic impacts of
study abroad, cultural impacts of study abroad
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES iv

Dedication

To my mother Maksude Zerman and
my father Mehmet Zerman
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES v

Acknowledgements
This study would not have been possible without the valuable contributions of several
individuals.
First of all, I would like to express my great appreciation to my advisor, Rick Lagiewski,
for his valuable and constructive suggestions, patient guidance, and useful critiques during the
development of this thesis. His respectful and patient manner under any conditions made this
study easier to accomplish.
Special thanks are extended to the nine participants of the study for their valuable input
and their valuable time. Without their insightful contribution, I would not be able to finish this
study.
I would also like to convey thanks to Dr. Medet Yolal and Kazım Demirer from Anadolu
University for their kind support.
I would like to thank Dr. Muhammet Kesgin for his contributions to the study with his
valuable comments.
I also would like to thank Dr. Erkan Yüksel, who broadened my horizon with his
valuable ideas and triggered my desire to study abroad, which began in Portugal in 2008 and
continues in the US. His academic honesty and generosity for sharing his wisdom will be an
example for me throughout my academic career.
Special thanks to Dr. Ferat Şahin and Selhan Garip Şahin for their warm hospitality in
Rochester. Thanks to them, Rochester and the US were not abroad anymore; instead, it was my
second home.
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES vi

I would like to offer my special thanks to my friends in the US, Abdulaziz F. Eid, Eyüp
Çınar, Neşe Yılmaz, and Onur Özçalık. They were with me through all the difficulties and the
most insufferable days during these two years. Without their support and valuable time dedicated
to motivate me for my degree and thesis, everything would have been more difficult.
On the very first day of this journey, Ayten Doğan Baytaroğlu was one of the very first
people who believed in me and provided unconditional support. Therefore, this study is also a
result of her valuable contribution.
The hidden hero of this thesis, as well as many of my other achievements, is my dear
brother, Erel Zerman. The sincerest thanks goes to him not only for being the best example in my
life but also for encouraging and motivating me throughout the process. Without him in my life, I
would definitely not be the same person I am today.
Last but not least, the greatest thanks goes to my parents, my mother Maksude Zerman
and my father Mehmet Zerman, for standing with me through this tough process and walking
with me even from thousands of miles away throughout my studying abroad journey. Their
infinite love and unconditional support gave me the power to follow my dreams and make them
come true. You are the magic power of my life. I appreciate every single thing that you have
sacrificed for me to follow my dreams.
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES vii

Table of Contents

Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii
Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... v
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ vii
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. x
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... xi
Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 Academic impacts of study abroad.............................................................................................. 4
1.2 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................................. 7
1.4 Terms and Definitions ...................................................................................................................... 8
Chapter 2: Literature Review .................................................................................................... 10
2.1 Internationalization ........................................................................................................................ 10
2.2 Internationalization of Tourism Education .................................................................................. 11
2.3 Consequences of Internationalization of Higher Education ....................................................... 12
2.4 Study Abroad .................................................................................................................................. 13
2.5 Erasmus Program ........................................................................................................................... 15
2.6 Reasons to Go and Expectations of Students ............................................................................... 17
2.7 Impacts of Study Abroad ............................................................................................................... 20
2.8 Returning From Study Abroad and Re-entry .............................................................................. 22
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES viii

Chapter 3: Methodology............................................................................................................. 28
3.1 Introduction of Method .................................................................................................................. 28
3.2 Data Collection Process .................................................................................................................. 29
3.3 Participants - Description of the Sample ...................................................................................... 33
3.4 Instruments ..................................................................................................................................... 33
3.4.1 Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 33
3.4.2 Interview .................................................................................................................................... 34
3.5 Data Analysis................................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 4: Findings and Result Analysis ................................................................................. 37
4.1 Findings ........................................................................................................................................... 37
4.2 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 42
4.2.1 Different types of study abroad experiences ............................................................................. 48
4.2.2 Changes in learning expectations .............................................................................................. 52
4.2.3 Effects of study abroad on their culture .................................................................................... 58
4.2.4 Impact on the classroom ............................................................................................................ 61
4.2.5 Re-entry and adjustment of students ......................................................................................... 64
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations ........................................................................ 69
5.1 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 69
5.2 Recommendations for future studies ............................................................................................ 71
References .................................................................................................................................... 74
Appendix A .................................................................................................................................. 85
Appendix B .................................................................................................................................. 86
Appendix C .................................................................................................................................. 87
THE IMPACTS OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES ix

Appendix D .................................................................................................................................. 90